We Believe in God the Eternal Father

The First Article of Faith states:

1 We ^abelieve in ^bGod, the Eternal Father, and in His ^cSon, Jesus Christ, and in the ^dHoly Ghost.

This morning I was thinking about gifts of the spirit, and how they require faith...in God, the Eternal Father.


I remember hearing as a missionary that to truly have faith in God we need to understand His true nature. I am still working on that. I have heard more than on person comment on the fact that His preferred title is Father.



I have long loved this line from the Bible Dictionary under the heading of PRAYER.

As soon as we learn the true relationship in which we stand toward God (namely, God is our Father, and we are his children), then at once prayer becomes natural and instinctive on our part (Matt. 7:7–11).

This really is more of a logic sequence. I hope everyone can follow it.

God is our Father

I am His daughter (son, for you men)

As his Daughter (Son) I inherit divine gifts.

As I believe and accept God as my father.

I accept access to divine gifts of the Spirit.

As we learn of God and our relationship to Him we learn more of our divine nature. More or our God given talents. More of what we are here to do. Or rather what we are here to become.

Envelope Budgeting

I was in college when I was introduced to the idea of envelope budgeting. I have been budgeted my money using this idea for over 10 years. Here is an good introduction.





Budgeting was one of the reasons I wanted a smart phone. I was very excited to find a EEBA (Easy Envelope Budgeting Aid) app for my android phone.

https://www.eebacanhelp.com/login.php

Here is info on how to use EEBA.



Using EEBA free does not include account information. You are just tracking spending against a set spending allowance. It allows for 10 budget "envelopes" and 10 annual / irregular "envelopes".

I get paid every two weeks. I set up 10 envelopes I can empty ever two - four weeks. I also set up 5 irregular envelopes for things like my MSA account, building savings, and car insurance. I am also hoping to have my students use the sight to work on budgeting skills.

Live long, and prosper.

Monday Memory Moment

It seems there are days I can go without noticing the date. Today, I saw it repeatedly. It struck mee as familiar and important for some reason. Maybe it is someone's birthday. Nope, no one I could think of ( I even checked facebook). Then all of a sudden it came to mee.

ON THIS DAY... June 27, 1844 Carthage, Illinois. Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum Smith were martyred by a mob in Carthage Jail.

Daily Events in the Life of Joseph Smith

There are many emotional and intellectual responses to the name JOSEPH SMITH. This range includes disgust, admiration, or nothing at all. There are few names more generic in the English language than Joseph Smith. Ask mee: Who is Joseph Smith?

A prophet of God. The first prophet of this, the last dispensation, or the dispensation of the fullness of times. The founder of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Translator of The Book of Mormon. A friend of God and all mankind.

Monday Mess Making

I did a pretty good job making messes tonight. I had heard about Bountiful Baskets a few months ago. I hadn’t gotten myself to the point of participating until last week. To help give you a better idea of how much food there is, this is a cardboard apple box.

At that point, I was ambitious. Rather than starting with the basic basket I went for the basket, and the Mexican add-on. I have so many peppers, I don’t know what all of them are. At first look I thought…salsa.
I have never made salsa before. Neither had I worked with tomatillos. That too was interesting. I thought it tasted alright tonight. We’'ll see how it goes over at work tomorrow.


The other mess I started a while ago. It was actually an effort to clean something.

After my grandfather died I wanted a ratchet set. When Dad asked why I said: “If nothing else, for when you are there and need to use them.”
As you can tell they need some help. I remember my dad telling mee Cola would clean rust.

I actually soaked them twice. I bought this bottle a year (or two) ago. I didn’t know if it did what it was suppose to. After the first soaking, it still looked like a lot of work. It still took more elbow grease than I would have preferred.
Have you ever thought “This is going to make a big mess”, and then did it anyway.

After taking out and scrubbing all the tools, I decided to soak the case as well…
I dumbed the cola from the bucket to the case, which was too big for the sink.
Here is the out come…

I could have done a better job on the case…but it was getting late. I am not sure what else to do with these bits.

More Pictures

This is my first attempt at making a movie...enjoy.

The Fence

Old Fence:

Old Fence Piles:

New Fence Pile:

The Worker Bees:

New Fence:

Monday Memory Moment

More from D. C. This is my favorite picture. It took a lot of effort to get. You may want to click on it to enlarge. There is lightening above the Lincoln Monument. !

I had heard the Lincoln Monument contained the Gettysburg Address:

I may have even heard it contained his 2nd inaugural address. I don't believe I had ever read it before. I took pictures. Including the trascript to make it easier to read.

Transcript of President Abraham Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address (1865)

Fellow Countrymen

At this second appearing to take the oath of the presidential office, there is less occasion for an extended address than there was at the first. Then a statement, somewhat in detail, of a course to be pursued, seemed fitting and proper. Now, at the expiration of four years, during which public declarations have been constantly called forth on every point and phase of the great contest which still absorbs the attention, and engrosses the enerergies of the nation, little that is new could be presented. The progress of our arms, upon which all else chiefly depends, is as well known to the public as to myself; and it is, I trust, reasonably satisfactory and encouraging to all. With high hope for the future, no prediction in regard to it is ventured.

On the occasion corresponding to this four years ago, all thoughts were anxiously directed to an impending civil-war. All dreaded it -- all sought to avert it. While the inaugeral address was being delivered from this place, devoted altogether to saving the Union without war, insurgent agents were in the city seeking to destroy it without war -- seeking to dissole the Union, and divide effects, by negotiation. Both parties deprecated war; but one of them would make war rather than let the nation survive; 

and the other would accept war rather than let it perish. And the war came.

One eighth of the whole population were colored slaves, not distributed generally over the Union, but localized in the Southern half part of it. These slaves constituted a peculiar and powerful interest. All knew that this interest was, somehow, the cause of the war. To strengthen, perpetuate, and extend this interest was the object for which the insurgents would rend the Union, even by war; while the government claimed no right to do more than to restrict the territorial enlargement of it. Neither party expected for the war, the magnitude, or the duration, which it has already attained. Neither anticipated that the cause of the conflict might cease with, or even before, the conflict itself should cease. Each looked for an easier triumph, and a result less fundamental and astounding. Both read the same Bible, and pray to the same God; and each invokes His aid against the other. It may seem strange that any men should dare to ask a just God's assistance in wringing their bread from the sweat of other men's faces; but let us judge not that we be not judged. The prayers of both could not be answered; that of neither has been answered fully. The Almighty has His own purposes. "Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!" 

If we shall suppose that American Slavery is one of those offences which, in the providence of God, must needs come, but which, having continued through His appointed time, He now wills to remove, and that He gives to both North and South, this terrible war, as the woe due to those by whom the offence came, shall we discern therein any departure from those divine attributes which the believers in a Living God always ascribe to Him? Fondly do we hope -- fervently do we pray -- that this mighty scourge of war may speedily pass away. Yet, if God wills that it continue, until all the wealth piled by the bond-man's two hundred and fifty years of unrequited toil shall be sunk, and until every drop of blood drawn with the lash, shall be paid by another drawn with the sword, as was said f[our] three thousand years ago, so still it must be said "the judgments of the Lord, are true and righteous altogether"

With malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation's wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan -- to achieve and cherish a lasting peace among ourselves and with the world. to do all which may achieve and cherish a just, and a lasting peace, among ourselves, and with the world. all nations.

Washington D.C. : Jefferson

The first monument we made it to was Thomas Jefferson. I would of liked multiple hours dedicated to each monument. As it was, we were lucky to have a day to get in as many as we could.

Mr. Griffin, our Social Studies teacher was able to give historical significance to the architectural style. While I found it interesting, I don’t recall most of it. I did find his depth and breath of knowledge amazing. Thomas Jefferson was truly a renaissance man. Under the memorial was a small museum and gift shop (s).

 This first quote was from there. The rest are part of the memorial.

If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was, and never will be. 1816

God who gave us life gave us liberty. Can the Liberties of a nation be secure when we have removed a conviction that these liberties are the gift of God? Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just, this His justice cannot sleep forever. Commerce between master and slave is despotism. Nothing is more certainly written in the book of fate than that these people are to be free. Establish the law for educating the common people. This is the business of the state to effect and on a general plan.




I am not an advocate for frequent changes in laws and constitutions. But law and institutions must go hand in hand with the progress of the human mind. As that becomes more developed, more enlightened. As new discoveries are mode, new truths discovered and manner and opinions change. With the changes of circumstances, institutions must advance also to keep pace with the times. We might as wall required a man to wear still the coat which fitted him when a boy as civilized society to remain ever under the regimen of their barbarous ancestors.




We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights. Among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights governments are instituted among men. We …solemnly publish and declare, that these colonies are and of right ought to be free and independent states…and for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honour.




Almighty God hath created the mind free. All attempts to influence it by temporal punishment or burthens---are departure from the plan of the Holy Author of our Religion---no man shall be compelled to frequent or support any religious worship or ministry or shall otherwise suffer on account of his religious opinions or belief. But all men shall be free to profess and by argument to maintain their opinions in matters of religion. I know but one code of morality for men whether acting singly or collectively.

(around the top, inside)

Washington D.C.: Arlington

About a month before our trip I realized I would be in Washington D.C. for Easter Sunday. In many ways Easter isn’t much different from any other Sunday. This is not due to a lack of reverence for the Easter Celebration. Rather, it is consequence of a reverence for the Lord’s Day.

I remember meeting a young women on my mission. She must have been in her mid-teens. We had been invited into their home for a religious discussion. As they were Seventh Day Adventist our conversation evolved around the Sabbath day. As with some other Christian denominations they observe Saturday, the 7th day, as the Sabbath. As is the Jewish custom.

Old Testament | Genesis 2:1–3‎
Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them.
2 And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.
3 And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.

In this conversation she asked me why we worship the Lord on Sundays. I in turn asked her which day they celebrate the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. “Why, Easter Sunday, of course.”

Thus it is, each Sunday, a weekly reminder of the risen Lord.

Judge mee how you may. I took an ox in the mire position. Who knows if I will ever make it back to D.C. I took the opportunity to see some sights. Doing so I was very mindful of it being Easter Sunday.
It was a beautiful Sunday. The sun was shining, not too hot, not to cold. And the humidity…was comfortable. We started with lunch at Union Station. Originally we planned on just riding the bus around and not getting off. When I realized we were approaching the cemetery I wanted to get off. Cemeteries are hollowed grounds. I find myself drawn to them for Easter, Memorial Day, and Veterans Day.
Without going into detail I let my desire to get off known to the rest of my group. While a little hesitant, they picked up the intensity, if not the depth of my desire to spend Easter Sunday at:

I was about ready to cry right there, and I haven’t even made it through the gate.
“Our nation’s most sacred shire.”

I can’t seem to get over that line. Humility and awe overwhelm mee. As Latter-day Saints our temples are sacred. Our families are sacred. Something is sacred because you make it so by how you treat it, talk about it, and even live for it. A shrine is something built, maintain and cared for to honor someone or something we hold dear. I was to spend the next week visiting monuments (shrines) built for founding father’s, presidents, and war veterans.

This shrine, Arlington National Cemetery, started as the order was given for Civil War casualties to be buried in “Mrs. Lee’s garden”. Lying west of the Potomac River the Lee Plantation become the resting place of those who are willing to give their lives for freedom. The giving of life for an ideal, makes the ideal sacred. Maintaining a resting place for those whose lives have been given for the same ideal makes it a shrine.

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier…I am not sure I could begin to explain. We were able to witness the changing of the guard. How do you explain the “why” in guarding a tomb? Furthermore, how do explain the responsibility as be a high honor? For the you to understand you would need to value you something deeply, so as to be willing to sacrifice for it.

I have heard it said there are two people willing to die for your freedom:
JESUS CHRIST and the American Solider. I am profoundly grateful for both.
I got to spend an Easter Sunday at Arlington National Cemetery. A beautiful reminder of those who have died for my freedom. One of them rose again. May I prove worthy of their sacrifices.

Washington D.C. : Charters of Freedom

Yes, it has been a while. I was informed I need to share more of my D.C. pictures.

The Education Department went the Council of Exceptional Children Convention and Expo which was held in National Harbor, MD. I struggled deciding which I was more excited about: convention vs. Washington D.C.
We had almost a full week in the DMV (District of Maryland, Virginia).
We had three days of Convention and three days of site seeing. I had one MUST see:

The Charters of Freedom. Housed in the National Archives, 235 year old parchment, elegant penmanship, and inspired words protected as the priceless gift they are: The Declaration of Independence, The Constitution of the United States of America and the Bill of Rights. Amazing, amazing, amazing...this should be the Mecca of all freedom loving people.

While I will treasure knowing that I have seen the actual documents. I am most grateful for a keener understanding of the sacrifice and foresight of these, our founding fathers. As I wondered the monuments and museums I kept reflecting on the words given to the Prophet Joseph Smith concerning this great land and are freedoms.

Doctrine and Covenants 101:77–80‎

77 According to the laws and constitution of the people, which I [God]  have suffered to be established, and should be maintained for the rights and protection of all flesh, according to just and holy principles;
78 That every man may act in doctrine and principle pertaining to futurity, according to the moral agency which I have given unto him, that every man may be accountable for his own sins in the day of judgment.
79 Therefore, it is not right that any man should be in bondage one to another.
80 And for this purpose have I established the Constitution of this land [The United States of America], by the hands of wise men whom I raised up unto this very purpose, and redeemed the land by the shedding of blood.